FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 12 · November 21, 2013 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2013 Week 12 Recap

Saints defeat Falcons 17–13 in Week 12

D.Brees led Fantasy Impact as Saints prevailed in a 17–13 Week 12 finish.

New Orleans Saints 17 9–2 Winner
Final 17–13
Atlanta Falcons 13 2–9
Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
17–13
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 14–13 Atlanta Falcons
Top passer
Matt Ryan
FantasyHQ MVP
D.Brees
Game date
November 21, 2013

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • D.Brees 23/35 · 279 YDS · 2 TD +12.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Jimmy Graham
    Jimmy Graham 5 REC · 100 YDS · 1 TD +8.0 Fantasy Impact
  • P.Thomas 5 REC · 57 YDS +4.4 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • H.Douglas 9 REC · 79 YDS +4.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Matt Ryan
    Matt Ryan 30/48 · 274 YDS · 1 TD +4.1 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Gonzalez 4 REC · 43 YDS +2.0 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
New Orleans Saints 17–13 Atlanta Falcons
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 14–13 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
D. Brees
Top passer
Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play
(10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2013-11-21

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 17–13 on 2013-11-21. D. Brees posted a game-high +12.94 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3T
New Orleans Saints7730017
Atlanta Falcons7600013

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

NONew Orleans Saints
ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 8:51TD
    Shedrick Jackson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 1
    Score
    0-6

    (8:51) 39-S.Jackson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 8:48XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    0-7

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  3. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 1:23TD
    Blake Watson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 1
    Score
    6-7

    (1:23) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 1:17XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    7-7

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

  5. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 12:26FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 21
    Score
    7-10

    (12:26) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 10:21TD
    Jimmy Graham

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 44
    Score
    13-10

    (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 10:12XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    14-10

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

  8. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 2:44FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 6
    Score
    14-13

    (2:44) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  9. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 4:42FG
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 23
    Score
    17-13

    (4:42) 5-G.Hartley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.94 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  2. 2Jimmy GrahamJimmy Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.95 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
  3. 3P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.44 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
  4. 4H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.12 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  5. 5Matt RyanMatt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +4.11 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
  6. 6M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
  7. 7P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.20 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
  8. 8T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.99 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

D. Brees — NO · Passing

D. Brees posted the highest total EPA (+12.94) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.

D. Brees's top snap (+4.26 EPA): (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Matt Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Matt RyanMatt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 48 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +9.2% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.11 total EPA
  • D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 35 dropbacks · 65.7% completion · +6.6% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.94 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsAtlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play+0.117+0.025
Offensive success rate43.8%48.1%
Pass EPA/play+0.370+0.086
Rush EPA/play-0.114-0.001
Defensive EPA/play-0.025-0.117
Defensive success rate51.9%56.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs +0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: +0.12 EPA/play (78th percentile vs. 2013 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: +0.03 EPA/play (54th percentile vs. 2013 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 9 drives, +2.01 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +8.52 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Shedrick JacksonAtlanta Falcons — Shedrick Jackson (Q1 8:51)
  • Blake WatsonNew Orleans Saints — Blake Watson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 1:23)
  • Jimmy GrahamNew Orleans Saints — Jimmy Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 10:21)

Field goals

  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q2 12:26)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q2 2:44)
  • New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q3 4:42)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 8:51) — (8:51) 39-S.Jackson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 8:48) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q1 1:23) — (1:23) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 1:17) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 21 (Q2 12:26) — (12:26) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 44 (Q2 10:21) — (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 10:12) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q2 2:44) — (2:44) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q3 4:42) — (4:42) 5-G.Hartley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 13-D.Johnson to NO 20 for 2 yards (55-K.Dawson). FUMBLES (55-K.Dawson), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 13. 24-C.White to NO 13 for no gain (83-H.Douglas [WPA -22.0% · EPA -4.16]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 10:21) — (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.7% · EPA +4.26]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.16]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 6:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham pushed ob at ATL 27 for 35 yards (25-W.Moore). [WPA +10.6% · EPA +3.68]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 83-H.Douglas to ATL 49 for 11 yards. 83-H.Douglas pass incomplete. PENALTY on ATL-83-H.Douglas, Illegal Forward Pass, 0 yards, enforced at ATL 49. [WPA -9.7% · EPA -0.06]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 10:21) — (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.7% · EPA +4.26]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 13-D.Johnson to NO 20 for 2 yards (55-K.Dawson). FUMBLES (55-K.Dawson), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 13. 24-C.White to NO 13 for no gain (83-H.Douglas [WPA -22.0% · EPA -4.16]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 6:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham pushed ob at ATL 27 for 35 yards (25-W.Moore). [WPA +10.6% · EPA +3.68]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.16]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 8:51 · NO 1 · Score 0-6
    (8:51) 39-S.Jackson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 8:48 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 1:23 · ATL 1 · Score 6-7
    (1:23) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 1:17 · ATL 2 · Score 7-7
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
  5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 12:26 · NO 21 · Score 7-10
    (12:26) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 10:21 · ATL 44 · Score 13-10
    (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 10:12 · ATL 2 · Score 14-10
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
  8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 2:44 · NO 6 · Score 14-13
    (2:44) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  9. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 4:42 · ATL 23 · Score 17-13
    (4:42) 5-G.Hartley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • New Orleans Saints earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matt Ryan (ATL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons on 2013-11-21?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 17-13 in Week 12, 2013.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 6; Q3: New Orleans Saints 3, Atlanta Falcons 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 13.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — S. Jackson (Q1 8:51) New Orleans Saints touchdown — B. Watson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 1:23) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 10:21) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 12:26, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 2:44, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q3 4:42, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 62.5% completion, +9.2% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +4.11 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 65.7% completion, +6.6% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +12.94 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.94 total EPA on Passing plays. across 35 snaps. Their top snap (+4.26 EPA): (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. New Orleans Saints won 17-13 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 8-2 Now 9-2 W

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 2-8 Now 2-9 L